Details emerge about the Zune 3 platform

Microsoft is expected to announce its next major update to the Zune platform soon, but it looks like Fry's Electronics has leaked some interesting details:

Buy from FM

Listen to your favorite FM radio stations and click to tag the songs you like for later purchase when you sync your device with your PC.

Device to cloud

Access thousands of wireless hotspots around the country to automatically update your collection, browse Zune Marketplace, refresh Channels, exchange favorites with friends, or buy songs you've tagged from your FM radio.

Wireless sharing

Send your favorite songs, albums, playlists, pictures, and even audio podcasts freely between any Zune devices.

Channels

Zune Channels are custom programming stations that deliver personalized playlists to your Zune from a variety of sources you select, such as music experts, celebrities, or top radio stations.

Games

Games rock on your Zune. Zune players now come with a selection of fun free games to choose from. Play the popular game Texas Hold 'Em or challenge yourself to a game of Hexic, and make sure you play your favorite song from your collection to create your own personal game soundtrack.

I've also verified that Audible support will be coming as part of the Zune 3 upgrade.

Discuss this Article 14

tayme
on Sep 8, 2008
Very nice updates. I hope that the current Zunes will be able to update...as I am sure that they will be. With these updates, if effectively implemented, the Zune has caught up with and surpassed the iPod Classic. The only thing missing is the touch screen to be at the same level as the iPod Touch. I wonder how this will play out with the iPod faithful and what the iPod updates will include??? --tayme
systemwolf
on Sep 8, 2008
Paul, you've said that you own both the zune and the ipod's, in your opinion does any of this start to persuade you to use the zune over the ipod? I personally chose zune because it would play media center content, so these things will just be icing on the cake.
Ocean
on Sep 8, 2008
Will it have the ability to record from FM radio? OT: Just finished the latest Windows Weekly. It's good...I've subscribed. I've noticed something: You're more centrist/moderate than you're given credit for in these blog comments and sometimes appear in your articles. I wonder if that's because (your partner on the podcast) Leo is such a Mac fan... (no need for anyone to reply to the last part :) )
Interframe
on Sep 8, 2008
Sweet! News.com is also reporting that these new model's are hitting next week!
gorath
on Sep 8, 2008
are they going to be available outside the US this time?
tayme
on Sep 8, 2008
@Ocean - I doubt that you will be able to record from the FM radio. Zune has had FM since G1 and you can't record from it. My guess is that the RIAA would pitch a major fit. I know on some of the XM Satellite radio/MP# player combos, you can record from XM, but could not sync that content back to your PC, and the RIAA barely let that get by. --tayme
Lindy
on Sep 8, 2008
@Ocean, he is totally different, and if you notice he never throws out flame bait, anti-Apple stuff. He is cordial, respectful....normal. He cant afford not to be if he wants to be invited back. Its Leo's network. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde:)
Ocean
on Sep 8, 2008
Tayme, there are MP3 players that record from FM radio...but they tend to be the smaller companies. I have a couple. Recording from FM has uses other than radio...
tayme
on Sep 8, 2008
@Ocean - Which players do you have that have that capability? I am interested in how they got that by. Also, can you expand on your last comment regarding the recording of FM having other uses? --tayme
Ocean
on Sep 8, 2008
Easy...low powered FM is used in some places for people with hearing difficulties. If you have a DAP that records off of FM, it comes out cleaner than an microphone. Itr's so obscure I can't remember the name. I'll PM it to you later (I'm assuming this thread will be locked soon).
cgdams
on Sep 8, 2008
@Lindy: Cordiality, Respect - that's a two way road. I've been listening to Leo and Paul for quite some time, and opposed to many Apple fans on this blog, Leo has no problems at all when Paul critisizes Apple.
Lindy
on Sep 9, 2008
@cgdams you are totally correct. I work from home, sit in my office from 7am to 4pm to match the hours of my co-workers on the east cost, so I listen to pod casts when I am not on a conference call. Windows weekly, Macbreak weekly, this week in tech...etc. I hear a lot of Leo, and i think he is a great at what he does. Even on Mac break weekly him and his Mac guests will bag on the things that Apple does poorly but its how they do it. They do the same when it comes to MS stuff. Its equal praise and criticism. I never here Leo go after MS all the time and in a mean spirited way. When Paul is on Windows weekly he is the same way. When posting here...WOW completely different.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 9, 2008
Lindy, Hearing you go on about how even Leo's Windows coverage is sounds a lot like listening to my right-wing brother-in-law talk about how Fox News really is the only balanced news channel.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 9, 2008
In both cases, the praise is absolutely sincere but really based on liking shows that only say what you want to hear. In actuality, I'd suspect that Leo's shows are meant to be fair and balanced but all the TWiT shows are pretty much focused on Silicon Valley and are about as provincial in their coverage of the world outside the Bay area as ValleyWag. It's a lot like a show on Airbus from Seattle or on delis from Chicago.

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